Muddy Waters, Mannish Boy | Throwback Vibez

In the 153^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Mannish Boy” by the late, great blues musician, Muddy Waters. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 153^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Mannish Boy”, performed by Muddy Waters.

“I’m a man! / I’m a full grown man.” WOO! The late, great blues musician Muddy Waters (1913 – 1983) lets the whole world know that he was a man on his classic, “Mannish Boy”.  Waters goes on to sing, “I’m a natural born lover’s man,” as well as “a hoochie coochie man.” This blues standard was originally recorded in 1955. Credited to Waters, Bo Diddley, and Mel London, it interpolates the Bo Diddley classic, “I’m A Man”. A version appears on Waters’ 1968 album, Electric Mud.  However, it’s the hard version from Hard Again, released in 1977, that truly tickles my fancy.

The later version of “Mannish Boy” benefits from more sophisticated recording technology, which is a win.  Furthermore, the screams are even more pronounced.  The guitar digs in a bit more, as does that signature blues beat.  Waters is turned up to the nth degree, delivering a gritty vocal that oozes with soul.  It begins with the dramatic intro, where Waters lets everybody know, “Everything’s gonna be alright this morning / Oh yeah.” Fo’ sho, Muddy, for sho! While “Mannish Boy” is best experienced by listening rather than written analysis, I leave you with my favorite lyrics, which involve spelling:

“I’m a man

I spell M

A child

N

That represents ‘man’

No B

O child

Y

That means ‘mannish boy’.”

Muddy Waters • Hared Again • Sony Music Entertainment Inc. • 1977

Muddy Waters, Mannish Boy: Throwback Vibez No. 153 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]